Eyewear Accommodating Headset With Audio Compensation

ABSTRACT

A headset comprises an ear cup, at least one speaker, an adjustable ear cup shaper, and circuitry. The ear cup shaper is adjustable into at least two configurations, wherein a first of the configurations creates no depression or a first amount of depression in the ear cup and a second of the configurations creates a second amount of depression in the ear cup, where the second amount is greater than the first amount. The circuitry is operable to determine which one of the configurations the ear cup shaper is configured into, and set an audio setting applied to an audio signal output to the speaker based on the determined one of the configurations.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/931,915, filed on Nov. 4, 2015, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/726,667,filed on Jun. 1, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/458,366, filed on Aug. 13, 2014 (now Pat. No.9,049,512), which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisionalpatent application 61/908,802, filed on Nov. 26, 2013, now expired.

Each of the above referenced documents is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional headsetsbecome apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of suchsystems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in theremainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

System and methods are provided for an eyewear accommodating headsetwith audio compensation, substantially as shown in and/or described inconnection with at least one of the figures, as set forth morecompletely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a first view of a headset configured for accommodatingeyewear.

FIG. 2 depicts a second view of the headset of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts one of the ear cups of the headset of FIG. 1

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate adjusting the tightness of a strap-type earcup shaper of a first embodiment of the headset to adjust the amount ofspace created for the eyewear.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate adjusting the tightness of a strap-type earcup shaper of a second embodiment of the headset to adjust the amount ofspace created for the eyewear.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate cross section views of the embodiment of theheadset shown in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 7 illustrates how the temple piece of the glasses fits into thedepression created by a strap-type ear cup shaper.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of an example implementation of a headsetwith eyewear accommodation.

FIGS. 9A-D depict an example implementation where retractable structurespositioned inside the foam of the ear cups enable the headset toaccommodate temple pieces of eyeglasses.

FIGS. 10A-D depict an example implementation in which the ear pieceshave openings to accommodate temple pieces of eyeglasses.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating a first example process foradjusting audio settings based on a state of an ear cup shaper.

FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating a second example process foradjusting audio settings based on a state of an ear cup shaper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown two views of an exampleheadset 100 that may present audio received from a connected device(e.g., game console) to a listener. The headset 100 comprises a headband102, a microphone boom 106 with microphone 104, ear cups 108 a and 108 bwhich attach to housings 119 a and 119 b which house speakers 116 a and116 b, ear cup shapers in the form of straps 118 a and 118 b foraccommodating eyewear, connector 110, connector 114, and user controls112.

The connector 110 may be, for example, a 3.5 mm headphone socket forreceiving analog audio signals (e.g., receiving chat audio via an Xbox“talkback” cable).

The microphone 104 converts acoustic waves (e.g., the voice of theperson wearing the headset) to electric signals for processing bycircuitry of the headset and/or for output to a device (e.g., gamingconsole, a smartphone, and/or the like) that is in communication withthe headset.

The speakers 116 a and 116 b convert electrical signals to soundwaves.

The user controls 112 may comprise dedicated and/or programmablebuttons, switches, sliders, wheels, etc. for performing variousfunctions. Example functions which the controls 112 may be configured toperform include: power the headset 100 on/off, mute/unmute themicrophone 104, control gain/volume of, and/or effects applied to, chataudio by the audio processing circuitry of the headset 100, controlgain/volume of, and/or effects applied to, game audio by the audioprocessing circuitry of the headset 100, enable/disable/initiate pairing(e.g., via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, or the like) with another computingdevice, and/or the like.

The connector 114 may be, for example, a USB port. The connector 114 maybe used for downloading data to the headset 100 from another computingdevice and/or uploading data from the headset 100 to another computingdevice. Such data may include, for example, parameter settings.Additionally, or alternatively, the connector 114 may be used forcommunicating with another computing device such as a smartphone, tabletcompute, laptop computer, or the like.

Each of the housings 119 a and 119 b may comprise rigid plastic and/ormetal for providing shape and support of the headset 200. Each of theear cups 108 a and 108 b is attached to a respective one of the housings119 a and 119 b. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, each of the housings 119 aand 119 b may provide a support structure which may be used in applyingtension to a respective one of the straps 118 a and 118 b.

The ear cups 108 a and 108 b are configured for surrounding thewearer/listener's ears and compressing against the wearer/listener'shead to create an enclosed acoustic environment for improved soundquality. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the ear cups 108 a and 108 b maycomprise, for example, foam that compresses against the listeners headfor creating the seal, an outer liner (e.g., a breathable fabric thatwicks heat and/or moisture away from the listener's head), and anadjustable strap for deforming the foam to accommodate the temple piecesof a pair of eyeglasses worn by the wearer/listener.

FIG. 3 depicts one of the ear cups of the headset of FIG. 1. In FIG. 3,the foam and lining of ear cup 108 a is deformed, creating space for thetemple piece of a pair of eyeglasses, as a result of tension applied tothe strap 118 a. Also shown in FIG. 3 are microphones 302 which may, forexample, be used for automatic noise cancellation and/or used forcharacterizing an acoustic environment inside the ear cup 108 a, asdescribed below with reference to FIG. 11B.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the strap 118 a is on the outsideof the ear cup lining. This may be the case, for example, where thestraps 118 a and 118 b are sold as an after-market add-on. In theembodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the strap is on the inside of the ear cuplining (e.g., stitched to the inside of the lining), as indicated by thedashed lines. The wearer/listener may adjust the tension of the strap118 a by pulling (e.g., directly or via a ratchet, dial, or othermechanical assembly) on the tag end 402. In FIGS. 4A and 5A there isless tension on the strap 118 a relative to the tension on the strap inFIGS. 4B and 5B. Consequently, in FIGS. 4A and 5A there is a shorter tagend 402 and an accompanying smaller deformation, dl (e.g., 0), in theear cup as compared to the longer tag end and larger deformation d2 inFIGS. 4B and 5B. The tension may be maintained by a retaining device 408which grips the strap 118 a and braces against the housing 119 a, asshown in FIG. 6A and 6B. In an example embodiment, the strap tension maybe fixed and the retaining device 408 may simply be a stitching togetherof two ends of the strap. In another example embodiment, the retainingdevice may be such as is found on a clothing belt. In another exampleembodiment, the retaining device may be buttons, or Velcro, or the like.In another example embodiment, the retaining device may use a ratchetingaction such as is used on snow sports boots and/or bindings.

Also shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is a sensor (e.g., a hall effect sensor)which generates an electrical signal indicating the configuration (i.e.,tension or position) of the strap.

FIG. 7 illustrates how the temple piece of the glasses fits into thedepression created by the strap. As can be seen from the figure, alarger depression (e.g., d2 of FIG. 4B) may be desired for a biggertemple piece (e.g., thick plastic frames) whereas a smaller depression(e.g., d1 of FIG. 4A) may be desired for a smaller temple piece (e.g.,for thin wire frames). As shown, one consequence of the eyeglassesaccommodation may be gaps between the wearer's head and the air cupwhich may affect the audio experience of the wearer. For example, an airleak caused by such a gap may reduce the perceived loudness of lowfrequency audio (i.e., reduce the perceived “bass response”).Accordingly, the headset 100 may be operable to compensate for suchchanges in the acoustic environment of the ear cup by adjusting theaudio settings applied to the audio signals being output via thespeakers 116 a and 116 b.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of an example implementation of a headsetwith eyewear accommodation. In addition to the connector 110, usercontrols 112, connector 114, microphone 104, microphones 302, andspeakers 116 a and 116 b already discussed, shown are a radio 820, a CPU822, a storage device 824, a memory 826, an audio processing circuit830, and an ear cup shaper sensor 832.

The radio 820 comprises circuitry operable to communicate in accordancewith one or more standardized (such as, for example, the IEEE 802.11family of standards, the Bluetooth family of standards, and/or the like)and/or proprietary wireless protocol(s) (e.g., a proprietary protocolfor receiving audio from an audio basestation such as the basestation300).

The CPU 822 comprises circuitry operable to execute instructions forcontrolling/coordinating the overall operation of the headset 100. Suchinstructions may be part of an operating system or state machine of theheadset 100 and/or part of one or more software applications running onthe headset 100. In some implementations, the CPU 822 may be, forexample, a programmable interrupt controller, a state machine, or thelike.

The storage device 824 comprises, for example, FLASH or othernonvolatile memory for storing data which may be used by the CPU 822and/or the audio processing circuitry 830. Such data may include, forexample, parameter settings that affect processing of audio signals inthe headset 100 and parameter settings that affect functions performedby the user controls 112. For example, one or more parameter settingsmay determine, at least in part, a gain of one or more gain elements ofthe audio processing circuitry 830. As another example, one or moreparameter settings may determine, at least in part, a frequency responseof one or more filters that operate on audio signals in the audioprocessing circuitry 830. As another example, one or more parametersettings may determine, at least in part, whether and which soundeffects are added to audio signals in the audio processing circuitry 830(e.g., which effects to add to microphone audio to morph the user'svoice). Example parameter settings which affect audio processing aredescribed in the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/040,144titled “Gaming Headset with Programmable Audio” and published as US2012/0014553, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. Particular parameter settings may be selected autonomously bythe headset 100 in accordance with one or more algorithms, based on userinput (e.g., via controls 112), and/or based on input received via oneor more of the connectors 110 and 114.

The memory 826 comprises volatile memory used by the CPU 822 and/oraudio processing circuit 830 as program memory, for storing runtimedata, etc.

The ear cup shaper sensor 832 comprises circuitry operable to detect theposition of one or both of the ear cup shapers of the two ear cups 108 aand 108 b. In the case of strap-type ear cup shapers 118 a and 118 b,for example, the sensor 832 may sense tension on one or both of thestraps 118 a and 118 b, amount of deformation in the foam as a result ofone or both of the straps 118 a and 118 b, and/or the presence (e.g.,through thermal and/or skin conductance measurements) or size (e.g.,through sound pressure measurement) of an air-gap between one or both ofthe ear cups 108 a and 108 b and the wearer's head as a result of thestraps 118 a and/or 118 b. In the case of plunger-type ear cup shapers902 a and 902 b (FIGS. 9A-9D, below) for example, the sensor 832 maysense whether the plunger is extended or depressed, amount ofdeformation in the foam as a result of one or both of the plungers 902 aand 902 b, and/or presence and/or size of an air-gap between one or bothof the ear cups 108 a and 108 b and the wearer's head as a result of theplungers 902 a and 902 b.

For strap-type ear cup shapers, the sensor 832 may comprise, forexample, a magnet with hall effect sensor for each strap (i.e., thevoltage produced on the hall element varies with position of the strap).For strap-type ear cup shapers, the sensor 832 may comprise, forexample, a wheel or track ball that rolls as the strap is tightened orloosened. For a plunger-type ear cup shaper, the sensor 832 maycomprise, for example, a potentiometer, a simple binary (on/off) switchor contact, and/or the like.

The measurement(s) from the sensor 832 may be fed to the CPU 822 and/oraudio processing circuitry 830 and processing of audio may be adjustedbased on the measurements. For example, phase, amplitude, frequency,and/or some other characteristics of audio signals being output to thespeakers 116 a and 116 b may be adjusted to compensate for the acousticenvironment corresponding to the current measurement(s). For example, toaccount for an air gap between the ear cup 108 a and the wearer's headcreated by an ear cup shaper, the bass of the audio signal being outputthe speaker 116 a may be boosted to maintain a desired bass loudness.For example, based on the state of the ear cup shaper (e.g., whether aplunger-type shaper is depressed or extended or whether a strap-typeshaper is tight or loose) a DSP tuning correction factor applied to theoutput audio signals by audio processing circuitry 830 may be enabled ordisabled. In an example implementation, the state of the ear cup shapermay be used for identifying a wearer of the headset (e.g., where twosiblings share the headset but only one of them wears glasses, which maybe stored in user profile/settings).

The audio processing circuit 830 may comprise circuitry operable toperform audio processing functions such as volume/gain control,compression, decompression, encoding, decoding, introduction of audioeffects (e.g., echo, phasing, virtual surround effect, etc.), and/or thelike. As described above, the processing performed by the audioprocessing circuit 830 may be determined, at least in part, by one ormore measurements from the sensor 832. The processing may be performedon game, chat, and/or microphone audio that is subsequently output tospeaker 116 a and 116 b. Additionally, or alternatively, the processingmay be performed on chat audio that is subsequently output to theconnector 110 and/or radio 820.

FIGS. 9A-D depict an example implementation where retractable rigidstructures positioned inside filler material of the ear cups (e.g.,foam) enable the headset to comfortably accommodate temple pieces ofeyeglasses.

FIG. 9A shows the entire headset 100 with depressions 904a and 904b inear cups 108 a and 108 b, respectively, created by plunger 902 a and 902b, respectively, which are within the ear cups 108 a and 108 b. As shownin FIG. 9B, when the plunger 902 a is in an extended position such thatdeformation 904a is not present. FIG. 9C shows a user retracting theplunger 902 a by pressing on it. FIG. 9D shows the structure in aretracted position such that deformation 904a is present to accommodatethe temple piece of a pair of eyeglasses.

In an example implementation, the components 906 a and 908 a comprise amagnet 906 a and a magnetic contact 908 a such that the plunger 902 a isheld in a retracted position by magnetic force. In such an embodiment,the plunger 902 a may be returned to the extended position by squeezingthe ear cup 108 a to exert an extension force that overcomes themagnetic force. In another example implementation, the components 906 aand 908 a may comprise a mechanical latch as is found in retractableballpoint pens. In such an implementation a first push of the plunger902 a compresses the foam and engages the mechanical latch, and a secondpush of the plunger compresses the foam beyond the retracted positionand disengages the mechanical latch allowing the foam to decompress(possibly aided by a spring) and return the plunger to the extendedposition.

In an example implementation, the components 906 a and 908 a comprise amagnet and a semiconductor hall element together operating as a halleffect sensor such that a voltage produced on the hall element varieswith the position of the plunger 902. In an example implementation, thecomponents 908 a and 906 a comprise electrical contacts such that whenthe plunger 902 a is retracted a circuity is completed but when it isopen the circuit is broken. In an example implementation, one or both ofthe components 908 a and 906 a may comprise a normally open switch thatis closed the plunger 902 a is retracted and open otherwise.

FIGS. 10A-D depict an example implementation in which the ear pieceshave openings (e.g., slits) to accommodate temple pieces of eyeglasses.The slits/openings may be such that, when no glasses are being worn by awearer of the headset, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10C, the elastic natureof the filler material of the ear cups (e.g., foam) closes theslits/openings. On the other hand, when glasses are worn as shown inFIGS. 10B and 10D, the filler material is pushed aside by the templepiece of the eyeglasses while creating little or no additional pressureon the temples of the wearer as compared to when the headset is wornwithout the eyeglasses. In FIGS. 10A and 10B the slits are such that,when eyeglasses are being worn concurrently with the headset, the foamof the headset is between temple pieces of the eyeglasses and the templeof the wearer. In FIGS. 10C and 10D, the filler material (e.g., foam) ispushed out of the way such that the temple pieces contact the temples ofthe wearer. Ideally, in the embodiments of FIGS. 10A-10D, the fillermaterial is compressed mostly in the vertical direction such that anyadditional pressure resulting from the presence of the temple pieces(relative to when the headset is worn without the eyeglasses) is exertedin the vertical directions on the temple pieces, rather than in thehorizontal direction on the temples of the wearer. To this end, theremay be, for example, hollow areas in the foam adjacent to the slits forreceiving the foam that is pushed out of the way by the temple pieces.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating a first example process foradjusting audio settings based on a state of an ear cup shaper. In block1102, a change in state of an ear cup shaper of ear cup 108 a isdetected. For example, a retraction or extension of a plunger-type earcup shaper is detected by sensor 832, or a tightening or loosening of astrap-type ear cup shaper is detected by sensor 832. In block 1102, inresponse to the detection in block 1102 (e.g., the sensor 832 sends asignal indicating the change in state to audio processing circuitry),different audio settings are selected for processing the audio signalbeing output to speaker 116 a. This may comprise, for example,increasing gain applied to low frequency components of the audio signalsuch that bass loudness is approximately the same before and after thechange in state of the ear cup shaper.

FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating a second example process foradjusting audio settings based on a state of an ear cup shaper. In block1110, calibration of the audio signals being output to the speakers 116a and 116 b of the headset 100 is triggered. Audio calibration may, forexample, be triggered periodically, in response to an adjustment of anear cup shaper (e.g., detected by sensor 832), or in response to theputting on, or taking off, of glasses (e.g., detected by sensor 832). Inblock 1112, the acoustics inside the chamber created by an ear cup andthe wearer's head are measured. This may comprise audio signals of knowncharacteristics being output to speakers 116 a and 116 b and thecorresponding acoustic waves being capture by microphones 302. Based onthe measured acoustic response, audio settings (e.g., gain and/or phaseshift applied to various frequency bands) may be adjusted to achieve thedesired actual response. For example, the measured response may revealthat bass is quieter than expected (e.g., due to a gap formed by the earcup shaper) and the gain applied to low frequency components of theaudio signal may be accordingly increased.

In accordance with an example implementation of this disclosure, aheadset (e.g., 100) comprises an ear cup (e.g., 100), at least onespeaker (e.g., 116 a), an adjustable ear cup shaper (e.g., strap 118 aor plunger 902 a), and circuitry (e.g., 302, 822, 824, 826, 830, and/or832). The ear cup shaper is adjustable into at least two configuration,wherein a first of the configurations creates no depression or a firstamount of depression in the ear cup (e.g., as in FIG. 4A or FIG. 5A) anda second of the configurations creates a second amount of depression inthe ear cup (e.g., as in FIG. 4B or FIG. 5B), the second amount beinggreater than the first amount. The circuitry is operable to determinewhich one of the configurations the ear cup shaper is configured into,and set an audio setting applied to an audio signal output to thespeaker based on the determined one of the configurations. For astrap-type ear cup shaper, the first of the configurations maycorrespond to a first amount of tension on the strap, and the second ofthe configurations may correspond to a second amount of tension on thestrap, where the second amount of tension is greater than the firstamount of tension. For a strap-type ear cup shaper, the circuitry maycomprise a sensor (e.g., 832) operable to sense tension on the strap,and the determination of configuration may be based on the tension. Fora plunger-type ear cup shaper, the first of the configurations maycorrespond to a retracted position of the plunger, and the second of theconfigurations may correspond to an extended position of the plunger.For a plunger-type ear cup shaper, the circuitry may comprises a switchor electrical contact (e.g., 906 a and/or 908 a) operable to sensewhether the plunger is retracted or extended. The circuitry may comprisea hall effect sensor, and the determination may be based on an output ofthe hall effect sensor. The audio setting may comprises a gain appliedto the audio signal. The gain may be set to a first, higher gain whenthe ear cup shaper is in the first configuration and to a second, lowergain when the ear cup shaper is in the second configuration. The audiosetting comprises a bass boost setting (i.e., configuration of the gainsapplied to various frequency bands that increases the perceived loudnessof the bass frequencies). The base boost setting may be disabled whenthe adjustable ear cup shaper is in the first configuration and enabledwhen the adjustable ear cup shaper is in the second configuration. Theear cup may comprise foam that is compressed a first amount when theadjustable ear cup shaper is in the first configuration and compressed asecond amount when the adjustable ear cup shaper is in the secondconfiguration, where the second amount is greater than the first amount.The headset may comprise a microphone (e.g., 302) configured to captureacoustic waves inside a cavity formed by the ear cup, and thedetermination may be based on the acoustic waves captured by themicrophone.

The present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software. The present invention may berealized in a centralized fashion in at least one computing system, orin a distributed fashion where different elements are spread acrossseveral interconnected computing systems. Any kind of computing systemor other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described hereinis suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be ageneral-purpose computing system with a program or other code that, whenbeing loaded and executed, controls the computing system such that itcarries out the methods described herein. Another typical implementationmay comprise an application specific integrated circuit or chip.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computerreadable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machinereadable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machinecode and/or a computer program having at least one code sectionexecutable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machineand/or computer to perform the processes as described herein.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer tophysical electronic components (i.e. hardware) and any software and/orfirmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by thehardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As usedherein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise afirst “circuit” when executing a first one or more lines of code and maycomprise a second “circuit” when executing a second one or more lines ofcode. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items inthe list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means anyelement of the three-element set { (x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “xand/or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y,and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means“one or more of x, y and z”. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary”means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Asutilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists ofone or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. Asutilized herein, circuitry is “operable” to perform a function wheneverthe circuitry comprises the necessary hardware and code (if any isnecessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance ofthe function is disabled or not enabled (e.g., by a user-configurablesetting, factory trim, etc.).

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A headset comprising: two ear cups, wherein eachear cup comprises a foam ring having a channel, and wherein the channelof each foam ring is a hollow area that extends between a perimeter ofthe foam ring and a center space defined the foam ring; and circuitryoperable to adjust an audio signal received by the headset, wherein in afirst configuration of the headset, the channel of each foam ringreceives foam that is pushed by eyewear worn by the user of the headset,and wherein the audio signal is adjustable to accommodate a change inacoustics when the eyewear is worn by the user of the headset.
 17. Theheadset of claim 16, wherein the circuitry is operable to apply a bassboost to the audio signal.
 18. The headset of claim 16, wherein thecircuitry is operable to apply a gain to the audio signal.
 19. Theheadset of claim 16, wherein the circuitry is operable to determine theconfiguration of the headset.
 20. The headset of claim 19, wherein thecircuitry is operable to adjust the audio signal received by the headsetaccording to the configuration of the headset determined by thecircuitry.
 21. The headset of claim 16, wherein the headset comprisesone or more microphones configured to capture acoustic waves inside thecenter space defined the foam ring.
 22. The headset of claim 21, whereinthe circuitry is operable to determine the configuration of the headsetaccording to the acoustic waves captured by the one or more microphones.23. The headset of claim 16, wherein in the first configuration of theheadset, a first amount of depression is created in at least one earcup.
 24. The headset of claim 16, wherein in a second configuration ofthe headset, eyewear is not worn by the user of the headset and nodepression is created in the ear cups.
 25. The headset of claim 16,wherein the headset comprises memory operable to store a plurality ofadjustments for application to the audio signal.
 26. The headset ofclaim 25, wherein the memory is FLASH memory.
 27. The headset of claim16, wherein the adjustment of the audio signal is user controlled. 28.The headset of claim 16, wherein the audio signal is received wirelessly.
 29. The headset of claim 16, wherein each foam ring is covered by aliner.
 30. The headset of claim 16, wherein the circuitry comprises aprocessing unit.
 31. A system comprising: a headset comprising two earcups, wherein each ear cup comprises a foam ring having a channel, andwherein the channel of each foam ring is a hollow area that extendsbetween a perimeter of the foam ring and a center space defined the foamring; and non-transitory machine readable storage having code storedthereon, wherein when code is executed by a computing device, thecomputing device is configured to control an adjustment of an audiosignal received by the headset, and wherein in a first configuration ofthe headset, the channel of each foam ring receives foam that is pushedby eyewear worn by the user of the headset, and wherein the adjustmentof the audio signal is a bass boost.
 32. The system of claim 31, whereinthe headset comprises memory operable to store a plurality ofadjustments for application to the audio signal.
 33. The system of claim32, wherein the memory is FLASH memory.
 34. The system of claim 31,wherein the adjustment of the audio signal is user controlled.
 35. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the headset comprises a processing unit.